Articleshttp://news.usm.edu/articles/Gulf%20Coast
enUSM Gulf Park Campus Hosts 2018 Arbor Day Celebrationhttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-gulf-park-campus-hosts-2018-arbor-day-celebration
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<a href="/author/jenny-tate">Jenny Tate</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi&rsquo;s annual Arbor Day celebration was held Friday, Feb. 9 on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.</p>
<p>The program featured the planting of a Live oak tree on the north side of the Administration Building Plaza and remarks from University representatives delivered outside near the Friendship Oak.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Arbor Day provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the importance of trees, and here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Live oak species can be found in abundance,&rdquo; said Dr. Steve Miller, Vice President for the Gulf Park Campus. &ldquo;The majestic Friendship Oak is a symbol of resiliency and strength for our campus, University and community. A number of other beautiful Live oaks can be found across our Gulf Park campus,&rdquo; Miller added. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Designated as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, the Southern Miss Physical Plant landscape team provides ongoing care and maintenance of all USM trees, landscapes, and grounds.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are honored to have earned the Tree Campus USA designation for the seventh year in a row. This recognition is evidence of the good stewardship and care of our campus trees,&rdquo; said Loren Erickson, USM Superintendent of Campus Landscapes and Certified Arborist.</p>
<p>The University of Southern Mississippi is one of only two universities in Mississippi to earn the Tree Campus USA designation for 2017. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the Tree Campus&nbsp;USA&nbsp;program recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage their campus trees; develop connectivity with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy, urban forests; and strive to engage their student population utilizing service learning opportunities centered on campus, and community, forestry efforts.</p>
<p>Dr. Malcolm Guidry, a consulting arborist on the recent Friendship Oak limb removal and remediation; Kaytlin Dorris, Gulf Park SGA President; and Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk, Vice Provost for the Gulf Park campus, also provided remarks at the event.</p>
<p>For more information about the Southern Miss Physical Plant, contact Michelle Shinall at <a href="mailto:michelle.shinall@usm.edu">michelle.shinall@usm.edu</a>.</p>
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CommunityGulf CoastThu, 15 Feb 2018 19:42:53 +000016666 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Gulf Coast Library to Present Science Café on the Coast Feb. 20, “Mississippi Sound Dolphins, Current Research: Concerns and Barriers”http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-gulf-coast-library-present-science-caf-coast-feb-20-mississippi-sound-dolphins-current-r
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<a href="/author/dawn-smith">Dawn Smith</a> </div>
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<p>Science Caf&eacute; on the Coast, hosted by The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Library, will present &ldquo;Mississippi Sound Dolphins, Current Research: Concerns and Barriers&rdquo; Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Library on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.</p>
<p>Jeffrey Siegel, executive director for the Mississippi Institute of Dolphin Sciences, will discuss how the 2010 BP oil spill led to a consortium of agencies and organizations that include the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mote Marine Laboratory and Sea World, began working together in the northern Gulf of Mexico to assess dolphin health in the wake of the spill.</p>
<p>Compared to the health of dolphins under human care at aquariums and oceanariums, wild dolphin health is rarely monitored. The only routinely monitored wild dolphin population is near Tampa Bay, where wild dolphins are periodically captured, brought aboard a boat, measured and biological specimens collected before each dolphin is released. Currently, the only other method of wild dolphin health assessment occurs when dolphins become stranded on a beach and are reported to an appropriate agency.</p>
<p>Siegel has accumulated 35 years of experience in dolphin research, oceanarium management and dolphin interaction. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Coastal Science from Southern Miss. He was the first person in America to establish a wild dolphin interaction program, and later developed the first dolphin interaction program at Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport.</p>
<p>Siegel participated with the rescue of the Marine Life Oceanarium dolphins after Hurricane Katrina, and was involved with the Katrina dolphin rehabilitation, transport and acclimation at their new home, Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Siegel is currently administrator for the Mississippi Institute of Dolphin Science.</p>
<p>Science Caf&eacute; on the Coast is a collaboration of the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Library, Harrison County Library System, Long Beach Public Library, Hancock County Library System and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston. This event offers those with minimal background in science the chance to meet and discuss scientific issues in a relaxed social setting.&nbsp;Admission is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided.</p>
<p>For more information, contact Adrienne McPhaul at 228.214.3467, or <a href="mailto:adrienne.mcphaul@usm.edu">adrienne.mcphaul@usm.edu</a>.</p>
AcademicsLibrariesGulf CoastWed, 14 Feb 2018 15:35:52 +0000w30171716646 at http://news.usm.eduGive the Best Gift to Your Valentine - the Gift of Heart Healthhttp://news.usm.edu/article/give-best-gift-your-valentine-gift-heart-health
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<a href="/author/tara-burcham">Tara Burcham</a> </div>
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<p>In February, you can&rsquo;t go anywhere without being reminded of Valentine&rsquo;s Day. The day dedicated to showing that special someone how much he or she means to you. Heart-shaped chocolate-filled gifts as well as candy hearts proclaiming &ldquo;Love You,&rdquo; &ldquo;Dear Heart&rdquo; and even &ldquo;Be My Valentine.&rdquo; But February also has another way to show your love, by celebrating American Heart Month.</p>
<p>American Heart Month is a month-long celebration designed to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends, and communities involved. The <a href="http://newsroom.heart.org/events/february-is-american-heart-month-6669831">American Heart Association</a> celebrated the first American Heart Month 55 years ago to combat cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke.</p>
<p>When you think of gifts for your Valentine, you rarely think about giving the gift of heart health. But it just might save your life, or theirs.</p>
<p>What does American Heart Month have to do with finding the perfect gift for Valentine&rsquo;s Day?</p>
<p>&ldquo;Valentine&rsquo;s Day is the perfect time to give your Valentine the gift of heart health, either through education or action,&rdquo; says Dr. Melanie Gilmore, a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and <a href="https://online.usm.edu/graduate/family-nurse-practitioner-ms/">director of the online nursing FNP program</a> at The University of Southern Mississippi. &ldquo;Whether by <a href="https://www.goredforwomen.org/fight-heart-disease-women-go-red-women-official-site/live-healthy/prevent-heart-disease/">learning how to prevent heart disease</a> or by <a href="https://www.goredforwomen.org/fight-heart-disease-women-go-red-women-official-site/live-healthy/cooking-for-the-family/">cooking healthy meals</a> for your family, you are making a difference in their heart health.&rdquo;</p>
<p>To bolster awareness, the American Heart Association offers five truths about heart disease:<br />
&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>Chances are you know someone affected by heart disease and stroke.</li>
<li>Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death with more than 17.9 million &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;deaths each year.</li>
<li>Approximately 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day</li>
<li>Cardiovascular disease, including stroke, claim the lives of about one woman every 80 seconds.</li>
<li>About 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be preventable with education and action.</li>
</ul>
<p>Gilmore says that medical professionals, and specifically nurse practitioners, play a major role in the prevention of heart disease for their patients. As a member of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Gilmore says their organization is working to combat heart disease <a href="https://www.aanp.org/membership/85-about-aanp/1114-million-hearts-landing-page">by partnering with Million Hearts</a>, a national initiative to prevent heart attacks and strokes in the United States over the next five years.</p>
<p>Gilmore says this holiday is the perfect opportunity to talk to your loved ones about heart health. &ldquo;Celebrating American Heart Month with your Valentine is a great idea. You can give the gift of heart health in many ways, including encouraging heart-healthy exercises, and even working to reduce stress in your lives.&rdquo;</p>
<p>So if you want to give your Valentine the gift that keeps on giving, consider celebrating February&rsquo;s American Heart Month with them. Talk to your healthcare provider about your heart health and learn more about healthy eating. Remember, in a 70-year lifetime, the average American human heart beats more than 2.5 billion times. Help your Valentine reach that 2.5 billion mark in a healthy way.</p>
AcademicsNursingCommunityGulf CoastMon, 12 Feb 2018 15:14:19 +000016601 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Professor Testifies Before U.S. Senate on Future of Aquaculturehttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-professor-testifies-us-senate-future-aquaculture
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<a href="/author/james-skrmetta">James Skrmetta</a> </div>
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<p>Dr. Kelly Lucas, Director of The University of Southern Mississippi&rsquo;s Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, spoke in Washington recently on the importance of aquaculture in the United States.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The United States imports over 90% of our seafood and half the imports are aquaculture products,&rdquo; Lucas told the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. &ldquo;We have a $14 billion-dollar seafood trade deficit. With a growing demand for seafood and static wild capture fisheries since the 1990s, aquaculture must continue to grow to meet increasing demand.&rdquo;</p>
<p>U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) oversaw the hearing titled, &ldquo;Growing the Future: Opportunities to Support Domestic Seafood Through Aquaculture.&rdquo; The members examined the&nbsp;current state of aquaculture in the United States, future opportunities for offshore, coastal, and inland communities, and the potential impact on the economy.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Domestic farming of seafood, done in a safe, well-monitored manner, can provide economic opportunities for all Americans, both for our coastal and inland communities, Thune said. &ldquo;Agricultural states like mine (South Dakota) can play an important role in providing feed for fish farms, and everyone benefits from having increased domestic seafood production.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture center in Ocean Springs, Miss. includes approximately 100,000 square feet of culture space devoted to environmentally responsible and economically feasible marine aquaculture. Lucas&rsquo; team&rsquo;s research focuses on alleviating the bottlenecks that constrain the production of marine species. Before arriving at USM&rsquo;s School of Ocean Science and Technology, Lucas was the chief scientific officer for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The University of Southern Mississippi is investing heavily in marine aquaculture. Our scientists are employing cutting-edge technology and the best research practices to grow fish in an environmentally responsible and economically feasible manner,&rdquo; said Gordon Cannon, Vice-President for Research. &ldquo;We are proud to have such experienced aquaculture researchers as Dr. Lucas and many others who have earned national and international reputations for their research and development of sustainable marine aquaculture technologies. This is just one example of Southern Miss&rsquo; involvement in shaping the economy of our state.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Sen. Thune said instead of continuing to buy seafood from a global market, which has seen repeated instances of labor and environmental violations, we should do a better job at home.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&ldquo;Aquaculture is the fastest growing food industry in the world,&rdquo; Thune said.&nbsp;&ldquo;If encouraged in the United States, it has the potential to create jobs and boost the economy, from states like South Dakota, to the coasts.&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s harness this opportunity and become the world leader in safe and sustainable domestic seafood production.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Throughout Lucas&rsquo; testimony, she highlighted both opportunities and challenges the U.S. faces in growing domestic aquaculture. Challenges such as fish-feed production, net and cage technology, and continued research were presented to the committee.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I believe the time is now for the United States to become more self-reliant in the production of seafood,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;It was a privilege&nbsp;to testify before the Commerce Committee regarding exciting opportunities to increase production of US seafood.&nbsp;</p>
<p>To learn more about the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center, call 228-872-4200 or visit: <a href="http://gcrl.usm.edu/cmac/index.php">http://gcrl.usm.edu/cmac/index.php</a></p>
AcademicsScience and TechnologyGulf CoastResearchFeaturedMon, 05 Feb 2018 14:51:43 +000016521 at http://news.usm.eduNutrition Education Workshop to be Held in Long Beach for People with Disabilities and Their Familieshttp://news.usm.edu/article/nutrition-education-workshop-be-held-long-beach-people-disabilities-and-their-families
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<a href="/author/alma-ellis">Alma Ellis</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies is hosting a free nutrition education workshop for people with disabilities and their families in the Gulf Coast area on Friday, Feb. 16.</p>
<p>The Nutrition is for Everyone workshop will be held at the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus at 730 East Beach Boulevard in Long Beach at 1 p.m.</p>
<p>The education session will focus on eating more fruits and vegetables and cooking more meals at home. LaShaundrea Crook, MS, RD, LD, will lead the workshop. Information will also be shared on including activity as a part of participants&rsquo; daily lives and eating on a budget.</p>
<p>A registration/recruitment event will be held on Friday, February 9, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Institute for Disability Gulf Park location. Individuals interested in attending the nutrition workshop can stop by to register and receive a free sample of and recipe for healthy trail mix.</p>
<p>This nutrition training is provided by Nutrition is for Everyone Mississippi, a year-long regional project funded by the Walmart Foundation through the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).</p>
<p>To pre-register for the free nutrition workshop, email Alma Ellis at <a href="mailto:alma.ellis@usm.edu">alma.ellis@usm.edu</a> or call her at 1.866.883.4474.</p>
CommunityGulf CoastMon, 05 Feb 2018 15:29:51 +000016526 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Gulf Park Campus Black History Month Programming to Include Panel Discussions, Theatre and Dance Performanceshttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-gulf-park-campus-black-history-month-programming-include-panel-discussions-theatre-and-d
<p>The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park campus will celebrate the important contributions of African-Americans during Black History Month through several programs and events Feb. 1-27. The 2018 Black History Month features the theme &ldquo;Black Excellence.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;With the theme of Black Excellence, we hope all participants are able to commemorate and celebrate the many accomplishments of the African American culture, while committing to educate and advocate for social justice,&rdquo; said Jolanda W. Taylor, Student Affairs Coordinator for the USM Gulf Park campus.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Student organizations, faculty, and staff have planned a variety of robust opportunities that range from academic to arts and entertainment,&rdquo; Taylor added. &ldquo;We invite students, faculty, staff, and the local community to partake in this year&rsquo;s Black History Month festivities.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The schedule of events is as follows:</p>
<p>*Thursday, Feb. 1<br />
10:30-11:30 a.m., Paint the Little Rock, Eagle Plaza</p>
<p>12:15-1 p.m., The Spirit of Excellence featuring Dr. Eddie Holloway, USM Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Fleming Education Center Auditorium</p>
<p>*Tuesday, Feb. 6<br />
12:15-1 p.m., Trivia Takedown, Fleming Education Center, room 104</p>
<p>*Wednesday, Feb. 7<br />
5:30-7:30 p.m., Greek Showcase, Fleming Education Center Auditorium</p>
<p>*Thursday, Feb. 8<br />
12:15-1 p.m., Integrating the U.S. Military: Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation Since World War II, presented by Dr. Douglas Bristol, USM Associate Professor of History, Fleming Education Center, room 104</p>
<p>*Thursday, Feb. 15<br />
12:15-1 p.m., Insecure: A Theatrical Performance by Harlem Company, Fleming Education Center Auditorium</p>
<p>5-6:30 p.m., Black Love Matters, a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Terri Smith, LMSW, Hardy Hall Ballroom</p>
<p>*Monday, Feb. 19<br />
6-7 p.m., Family Reunion Game Night, Fleming Education Center, room 104</p>
<p>*Tuesday, Feb. 20<br />
8-10 a.m., Golden Goals, Fleming Education Center Rotunda</p>
<p>12:15-1 p.m., Drop the Beat: Soul Line Dancing led by Darri &ldquo;Lady D&rdquo; Thomas, Hardy Hall Ballroom</p>
<p>*Wednesday, Feb. 21<br />
5-8 p.m., Lights, Camera, Action! featuring a screening of Detroit, Elizabeth Hall, room 114</p>
<p>*Thursday, Feb. 22<br />
12:15-1 p.m., Black Girls Rock, a panel discussion celebrating the accomplishments of African-American Women in STEM featuring Dr. Monique Cola, Delgado Community College; Tiffany Hawkins, NASA Stennis Space Center; and Dr. Veronica Scott, William Carey University. Fleming Education Center, room 104</p>
<p>*Tuesday, Feb. 27<br />
12:15 - 1 p.m., Soul Food Luncheon, featuring Dr. Eric Summers, Vice President for Student Affairs at Southeastern Louisiana University, Hardy Hall Ballroom</p>
<p>For more information about Black History Month programming at the USM Gulf Park campus, contact the Division of Student Affairs on the Gulf Park campus at 228.214.3341. For information about Black History Month programming at the USM Hattiesburg campus, visit <a href="https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-black-history-month-events-include-educational-programs-and-lectures-popular-soul-food-l" title="https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-black-history-month-events-include-educational-programs-and-lectures-popular-soul-food-l">https://news.usm.edu/article/usm-black-history-month-events-include-educ...</a>.</p>
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Gulf CoastWed, 31 Jan 2018 20:32:27 +0000w30171716476 at http://news.usm.eduPass Christian High Principal-USM Alum Wins Prestigious Milken Awardhttp://news.usm.edu/article/pass-christian-high-principal-usm-alum-wins-prestigious-milken-award
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<a href="/author/van-arnold">Van Arnold</a> </div>
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<p>There was a time when Pass Christian (Miss.) High School Principal and University of Southern Mississippi alum Dr. Robyn Killebrew tried running from education. Today, the popular and highly respected educator wholeheartedly embraces the concept.</p>
<p>For her tireless efforts as the fourth-year principal at Pass Christian, Killebrew recently was named a Milken Educator Award winner. Among the 44 Milken honorees for 2017-2018, Killebrew is the only one chosen from the State of Mississippi. The award comes with a $25,000 cash prize that the winner is free to use at his/her discretion.</p>
<p>When Milken Educator Awards Senior Vice President Jane Foley visited Pass Christian High earlier this month to announce that someone from the school had been selected for the honor, Killebrew had no inkling that she might be the recipient.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was completely shocked and definitely overwhelmed,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;When Dr. Foley told the audience that someone from Pass High was going to receive the Milken Educator Award, I caught myself looking around at all the amazing teachers we have in our building. When she revealed my name, I was completely surprised.&rdquo;</p>
<p>A Durant, Miss., native, Killebrew earned a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in physical education from William Carey University in 2003. She also holds a master&rsquo;s in sports administration (2005) and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration (2016) from USM.</p>
<p>She played fast pitch softball for two years at William Carey, finishing her career with a .301 batting average. Following her time at WCU, Killebrew became the graduate assistant softball coach at USM. In 2004, she helped lead the Golden Eagles to a 2004 Conference USA Championship.</p>
<p>Killebrew worked as a teacher for five years at Pass Christian before serving as assistant principal for two years. She readily concedes that teaching is engrained in her DNA given the fact that her grandmother was a teacher and her mother is currently in her 43<sup>rd</sup> year of teaching.</p>
<p>&ldquo;In college, I tried running from education; however, I always knew in my heart that I wanted to be a teacher,&rdquo; said Killebrew. &ldquo;It was just in my blood. I personally witnessed all the lives my mother touched over the years. I wanted to be a part of that.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Candidates for the Milken Educator Award are sourced through a confidential selection process and then reviewed by blue ribbon panels appointed by state departments of education. Those most exceptional are recommended for the award, with final approval by the Milken Family Foundation.</p>
<p>Since taking over as principal Killebrew has created and implemented a number of programs designed to foster greater engagement between teachers, students and the community at large. Enhancing academic achievement remains a top priority and her philosophy as a principal is simple: &ldquo;Whatever it takes.&rdquo;</p>
<p>One of her unique programs is the Freshman Academy, specifically designed to help smooth the transition from middle school to ninth grade. Killebrew meets with the incoming freshmen herself, encouraging them to become part of the Pass Christian family by joining an athletic team, club or academic organization during their high school years.</p>
<p>Since the program launched, Pass Christian&rsquo;s graduation rate has risen to more than 90 percent. Killebrew also created an ACT &ldquo;boot camp&rdquo; to prepare students for the standardized college test; she knows many Pass Christian families depend on college scholarships and reminds students that ACT points equal &ldquo;college dollars.&rdquo; Scores on every area of the test, and the percentage of students meeting benchmarks in all four testing areas has risen from 17 percent to 27 percent.</p>
<p>Each month she invites community members in for &ldquo;Pastries with the Principal&rdquo; to share what&rsquo;s happening at PCHS and how students are doing. Killebrew has been known to show up at the home of at-risk students to convince them to stick it out until graduation and serves on the district superintendent&rsquo;s Key Leadership team.</p>
<p>With another busy school year at hand, Killebrew has given little thought to how she might spend her surprise windfall.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I have not made any plans of yet,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I love to travel, so maybe a few trips in the near future.&rdquo;</p>
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CommunityGulf CoastTue, 30 Jan 2018 19:07:53 +000016461 at http://news.usm.eduWiest to Present Vietnam War Lecture Jan. 29 at Gulf Park Campushttp://news.usm.edu/article/wiest-present-vietnam-war-lecture-jan-29-gulf-park-campus
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<a href="/author/david-tisdale">David Tisdale</a> </div>
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<p>They didn&rsquo;t engage the enemy on the battlefield, but many of the loved ones left behind by soldiers serving in the Vietnam War were wounded emotionally by the conflict.</p>
<p>University of Southern Mississippi Professor of History Dr. Andrew Wiest will address this phenomenon in his lecture &ldquo;The War They Left Behind: The Impact of the Vietnam War on the Wives and Families of Combat Veterans&rdquo; Monday, Jan. 29 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Hardy Hall Ballroom on the Southern Miss Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach. Admission is free, and the event is a presentation of the USM Gulf Park College of Arts and Letters. A reception will follow.</p>
<p>Wiest is a USM University Distinguished Professor of History, founding director of the University&rsquo;s Dale Center for the Study of War and Society and a member of the University&rsquo;s Alumni Hall of Fame. He is a widely respected historian of the Vietnam War and author of several books, including The Boys of &#39;67: Charlie Company&#39;s War in Vietnam, which is the basis for the National Geographic Channel and Lou Reda Productions&rsquo; Emmy-nominated documentary Brothers in War, with Wiest serving as lead historical advisor to the project.</p>
<p>Wiest will also be available for a book signing of The Boys of &rsquo;67 following his lecture.</p>
<p>&ldquo;People often talk about the stiff penalties that wars exact upon the wives and families of our soldiers, but it is a topic that really nobody has ever written about,&rdquo; Dr. Wiest said. &ldquo;Intrinsically, we know war is hard on the wives of soldiers who have to live for two while their husbands face the ultimate crisis of their lives.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;But what are the real experiences of those wives?&nbsp; What is it like to be alone and to feel so helpless?&nbsp; What is it like to have a husband return who was changed by war, or perhaps not return at all?&nbsp; My research and this talk will allow the wives to tell their stories, so we can see the real effect of war on those left behind. These stories are eternal. There are wives and families living through the same thing today.&rdquo;</p>
<p>For more information about this event, contact the USM Gulf Park College of Arts and Letters at 228.214.3245, or email Dr. Wiest at <a href="mailto:andrew.wiest@usm.edu">andrew.wiest@usm.edu</a>.</p>
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AcademicsArts and LettersEventsFaculty and StaffGulf CoastMon, 22 Jan 2018 14:39:39 +0000w30171716386 at http://news.usm.eduOsher Lifelong Learning Institute Releases Spring 2018 Schedule http://news.usm.edu/article/osher-lifelong-learning-institute-releases-spring-2018-schedule
<p>Spring 2018 courses and activities offered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Southern Mississippi include enriching and fulfilling learning and social interaction opportunities. Registration is underway, with the schedule beginning Feb. 1 and continuing through April.</p>
<p>OLLI is an association of mature adults interested in stimulating learning experiences and developing new friendships. It began in 1991 at Southern Miss as the Institute for Learning in Retirement, and is supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation. While its schedule is targeted toward individuals age 50 and older, membership is open to anyone and includes the opportunity to enroll in one free seminar to learn more about OLLI.</p>
<p>Highlights of the spring schedule include topical seminars led by Jon Caridad, Dan Ellis, Philip Levin, Charlie Mabry, and Dickie Scruggs; cooking experiences with Cheri Hiers, Julie Hall, and Shayne Varone; trips to the Gulf Coast Research Lab in Ocean Springs, Lazy Magnolia Brewery in Kiln and Mississippi&rsquo;s new museums; a &lsquo;foodie&rsquo; tour of Bay St. Louis; a Saturday matinee of An American in Paris at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans; and an overnight trip to Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited about the upcoming semester. We&rsquo;re lucky to be able to draw on the wealth of knowledge from experts at USM and across south Mississippi for our classes, and we have some interesting and fun activities lined up as well,&rdquo; said Brett Harris, director of OLLI. &ldquo;If I didn&rsquo;t have to manage the program, I&rsquo;d be signing up for one of them every day of the week.&rdquo;</p>
<p>With more than 180 annual courses, trips, interest groups, and skill-building opportunities in Hattiesburg and along the Gulf Coast, OLLI offers experiences for every interest, including exploration of new technology, connecting mind and body through exercise, or taking up a new interest in painting, photography, or writing &ndash; all in an environment that values learning. There are no grades or tests, and members pay only for the courses they take.</p>
<p>For more information on a free OLLI seminar, or to request a copy of the spring schedule, visit <a href="http://www.usm.edu/olli" title="www.usm.edu/olli">www.usm.edu/olli</a>. Schedules are also available at the OLLI Hattiesburg office, located in the Peck House at 3601 Pearl Street; or at Elizabeth Hall, room 104 on the USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach. For questions about OLLI and its schedule of courses and activities, call the Hattiesburg office at 601.264.2780, or the Gulf Park Campus office at 228.214.3277.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
CommunityGulf CoastWed, 10 Jan 2018 20:41:42 +0000w30171716331 at http://news.usm.eduUSM to Host Economic Outlook Forums in Hattiesburg, on Gulf Coasthttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-host-economic-outlook-forums-hattiesburg-gulf-coast
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<a href="/author/van-arnold">Van Arnold</a> </div>
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<p>Economic trends and forecasts will be the focal points during the Economic Outlook 2018 Forum hosted by The University of Southern Mississippi at two different venues this year &ndash; the Hattiesburg campus on Jan. 25, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) on Feb. 1.</p>
<p>The USM College of Business and Trent Lott National Center are coordinating the annual forum that brings together experts from banking, finance, and academia to explore a number of issues and research related to the economic outlook for 2018. The First -- a National Banking Association is serving as title sponsor.</p>
<p>The Hattiesburg forum is set for 11:30 a.m. &ndash; 1:30 p.m. at the Thad Cochran Center Grand Ballroom. The MGCCC forum will be held from 8:30 a.m. &ndash; 10:30 a.m. at the college&rsquo;s Hospitality and Resort Management Center in Gulfport.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is a great tradition to hold economic outlook forums that bring faculty and organizational leaders together,&rdquo; said Dr. Faye Gilbert, Dean of the USM College of Business. &ldquo;This is the tenth year that USM has held this event in Hattiesburg and the second year for us to host the event for our coastal communities. We have two remarkable speakers and we look forward to seeing the business community gather at the beginning of this year to consider the economic landscape at the national and local levels.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Keynote speakers for the forums are Dr. Jim Glassman, Managing Director and Head Economist for Commercial Banking, JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co.; and Dr. Darrin Webb, Chief Economist, State of Mississippi.</p>
<p>From 1979 through 1988, Glassman served as a senior economist in the Research &amp; Statistics and Monetary Affairs departments at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, DC. While there, he analyzed and forecasted inflation, labor market developments, the Federal Reserve&#39;s operating strategies and interest rate markets, and he developed monetary and reserves projections. He joined Morgan Guaranty in 1988 and Chemical Bank in 1993, which, through a combination of mergers, became JPMorgan Chase &amp; Co.</p>
<p>Webb became the state economist and director of the University Research Center in July 2010. The University Research Center works with the Department of Revenue, the Legislative Budget Office, the Legisla&shy;ture, the governor&rsquo;s administration and other agencies on matters concerning the state&rsquo;s economy. As state economist, Webb works directly with the state revenue-forecasting group, serving traditionally as the chair.&nbsp; He also oversees the state&rsquo;s econometric model which forecasts the state&rsquo;s economy.</p>
<p>M. Ray &ldquo;Hoppy&rdquo; Cole, president and CEO of The First -- A National Banking Association, says that collaboration with USM on the forum constitutes a win-win for both institutions.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Economic Outlook forum continues to grow every year, and we expect another large turnout,&rdquo; said Cole. &ldquo;It gives us an opportunity to visit with people&nbsp;from the Gulf South region, to find out what is going on and how our company can be of service. We believe the conference gives those in attendance a solid foundation of&nbsp;economic expectations upon which to plan the upcoming year.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The forum is free and open to the general public. Seating is limited and those planning to attend should register as soon as possible here: <a href="https://www.usm.edu/business/economic-outlook-forum-2018">https://www.usm.edu/business/economic-outlook-forum-2018</a></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
AcademicsEconomic DevelopmentBusinessCommunityGulf CoastMon, 08 Jan 2018 13:42:10 +000016326 at http://news.usm.eduUSM’s Tate Named to 2018 Class of Leadership Mississippihttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-s-tate-named-2018-class-leadership-mississippi
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<a href="/author/jim-coll-0">Jim Coll</a> </div>
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<p>Jenny Tate, Assistant Director for University Communications and Campus Communication Officer for the Gulf Park Campus of The University of Southern Mississippi, has been selected to take part in the 2018 Class of Leadership Mississippi.</p>
<p>Leadership Mississippi is an annual program of the Mississippi Economic Council and is the second-oldest statewide leadership program in the country. Participants are selected by a committee of MEC&rsquo;s Leadership Mississippi Alumni, and they work together in a training program that combines individual study, group sessions and project experience.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I am honored to have been chosen to participate alongside an esteemed group of individuals in the upcoming class of Leadership Mississippi. I look forward to growing as a leader, employee and Mississippian,&rdquo; said Tate.</p>
<p>A resident of Gulfport, Tate has worked for USM since August 2014, and has been a leader for both the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach and USM&rsquo;s Office of University Communications. She has been an integral part of a leadership team for the office whose work has been recognized as the best at the state and regional level in the field of public relations.</p>
<p>Among other awards, University Communications has been honored with &ldquo;Best in Show&rdquo; awards from both the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM), the Public Relations Association of Mississippi, and the Southern Public Relations Federation.</p>
<p>Tate has also served as president of CPRAM from 2016 to 2017, and as a board member for the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. Her work at the University also includes teaching as a communications studies adjunct faculty member.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Jenny Tate is a leader for USM and continues to make the University and Gulf Park Campus better as a result of her efforts,&rdquo; said Jim Coll, Chief Communication Officer. &ldquo;I have no doubt that the program will benefit from Jenny&rsquo;s participation, just as much as she will benefit from participating in the program.&rdquo;</p>
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News MakersFaculty and StaffGulf CoastWed, 20 Dec 2017 18:49:22 +000016291 at http://news.usm.eduLimited Scholarships Available for Southern Miss Online RN to BSN Programhttp://news.usm.edu/article/limited-scholarships-available-southern-miss-online-rn-bsn-program
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<a href="/author/tara-burcham">Tara Burcham</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi&rsquo;s new online RN to BSN program has a limited number of scholarships available for the Spring 2018 semester. The scholarships are for Registered Nurses (RN) admitted to the RN to BSN program and starting the program during the spring 2018 semester.</p>
<p>This scholarship is offered through The University of Southern Mississippi College of Nursing and sponsored by the Mississippi Board of Nursing and Office of Workforce. Depending on the number of applicants, scholarships may range from $500 to $1,000. To find out more information, call the College of Nursing at 601-266-5454 or 228.865-4555.</p>
<p>To qualify for the scholarship, Mississippi RNs must meet the admissions deadline of January 2, 2018 and enroll in RN-BSN courses during spring semester 2018.</p>
<p>The accredited<a href="https://online.usm.edu/undergrad/online-nursing-rn-to-bsn-degree/"> RN to BSN program</a> at Southern Miss can be completed within three semesters, offered in 8 and 16 week intervals. All of the courses are available fully online.</p>
<p>With such a limited number of scholarships remaining, students need to act quickly to be considered for available scholarships. To learn about requirements and admission deadlines, visit<a href="https://online.usm.edu/undergrad/online-nursing-rn-to-bsn-degree/"> https://online.usm.edu/undergrad/online-nursing-rn-to-bsn-degree/</a>.</p>
<p>The University of Southern Mississippi offers 11 undergraduate degrees and twenty-one graduate programs fully online. To learn more about the online programs at Southern Miss, visit<a href="https://online.usm.edu/"> https://online.usm.edu/</a>.</p>
AcademicsNursingGulf CoastTue, 12 Dec 2017 14:41:24 +000016216 at http://news.usm.eduDetermined Husband-and-Wife Team Earn Doctorates from Southern Misshttp://news.usm.edu/article/determined-husband-and-wife-team-earn-doctorates-southern-miss
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<a href="/author/van-arnold">Van Arnold</a> </div>
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<p>Call it craziness, or call it stubbornness. But you should also call it &ldquo;impressive&rdquo; when referring to the accomplishments of husband-and-wife graduate students Rick and Angie Walker, who will receive their doctoral degrees during The University of Southern Mississippi&rsquo;s Fall 2017 Commencement on Friday, Dec. 8.</p>
<p>The couple, both employed by the U.S. Navy, somehow managed to juggle demanding, full-time jobs, and two teenagers at home with a rigorous doctoral program in <a href="https://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/department-human-capital-development">Human Capital Development</a> (HCD) through the University&rsquo;s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. But why did they decide to chase such a lofty goal at the same time?</p>
<p>&ldquo;Naivet&eacute; I think,&rdquo; said Rick, who works as a Navy civilian after 23 years of active duty. &ldquo;Earning a Ph.D. is a very tough task for anyone, and we certainly bit off a lot in trying to complete the degree, manage two full-time careers, and keep the family going. Angie and I are very stubborn individuals, so I think we just never considered that we might not finish.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Angie Walker, currently an active duty Navy captain, was the first to step into doctoral territory in 2008. A native of Cumming, Ga., she earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Florida (1992) and a master&rsquo;s degree in meteorology and physical oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School (1999).</p>
<p>Her path toward a doctorate started rather innocently and without a structured plan.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I actually enrolled in one of the HCD courses &ndash; Survey Designs &ndash; as a non-degree seeking student to learn more about the subject, so that I could better write surveys for the Navy,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;While enrolled, I just really enjoyed the class and the engagement of the professor (Dr. Patti Phillips) and students. The learning environment was, well, contagious. I just wanted to continue doing it.&rdquo;</p>
<p>So much so that she made the life-changing decision to take on the ultimate academic challenge. Though it has taken almost a decade to reach her goal, Angie harbors no second thoughts.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It really wasn&rsquo;t until my Ph.D. classes that I discovered I truly enjoyed learning,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I absolutely loved my HCD classes. I enjoyed the student comradery, the networking, the professors, the subjects, the classroom engagement, and the blended learning environment.&rdquo;</p>
<p>A native of Fort Myers, Fla., Rick Walker earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida (1992) and his master&rsquo;s degree in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School (1999). One year after watching his wife take the doctoral plunge, Rick decided to test the waters himself.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was never really interested in earning a Ph.D., but I had a difficult transition when I retired from the Navy in 2006,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Gulfport and then relocated to Pass Christian during the full brunt of (Hurricane) Katrina recovery, so finding a job was not easy. I saw the degree as a way to broaden my resum&eacute; beyond my military experience.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Walkers are the first husband-and-wife duo to enroll in -- and complete -- the HCD doctoral program. Dr. Heather Annulis served as chair of Angie Walker&rsquo;s dissertation committee.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are so excited to see them complete this academic milestone together.&nbsp;Family support is certainly a key ingredient in their Ph.D. achievements,&rdquo; said Annulis.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Annulis says that Angie Walker&rsquo;s resiliency, integrity, and determination helped pave the way to her successful completion of the rigorous program.</p>
<p>&ldquo;She represents our country as one of very few women achieving the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy, and I know she will represent Southern Miss with the same level of character,&rdquo; said Annulis.&nbsp;&ldquo;Her cutting-edge research in the area of increasing female officer retention is essential for human capital development in the military.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Walkers, who have been married for 22 years, are the parents of a 13-year-old son, Griffin, and 15-year-old daughter, Sydney. Angie currently serves as Director,</p>
<p>Center for Applied Strategic Learning at the National Defense University at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. Rick works as a Human Capital Specialist managing civilian manpower on the Naval Information Warfare staff in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Rick Walker acknowledged that the road to doctoral achievement featured its share of potholes, including two mild strokes he suffered during the process. But he emphasized that the &ldquo;highs&rdquo; of the journey far outweighed any &ldquo;lows.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;At the risk of sounding flippant, our challenges have just been what they&rsquo;ve been,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Everyone has obstacles to overcome, and we&rsquo;ve been successful at facing ours, choosing a path, and moving on. So many things in life are a choice, and we choose to make our life work. Others may not follow the path we&rsquo;ve been on, but this one is ours and so far, so good.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Angie Walker points out that teamwork played a vital role in the time-consuming doctoral process. During her participation in the program, the family moved three times, she received two job promotions and transitioned between seven different job titles.</p>
<p>&ldquo;If I had a paper due or needed to study, Rick would take the lead in the home and was responsible for cooking dinner, cleaning, getting the kids&rsquo; homework done, and putting them to bed in the evenings,&rdquo; said Angie. &ldquo;And if Rick had class requirements, I took the lead.&rdquo;</p>
<p>And what about those times when both had important assignments due?</p>
<p>&ldquo;Well maybe we ate take-out, the house didn&rsquo;t get cleaned, and we each took turns taking a break from our schoolwork to focus on the kids,&rdquo; she said.</p>
<p>Dr. Cyndi Gaudet, chair of the HCD Department, explained that the doctoral program is delivered in executive format, a blend between face-to-face and synchronous online instruction. The research-based, practitioner-focused program attracts students interested in learning how to make critical, evidence-based decisions about human capital investments.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Gaudet served as chair of Rick Walker&rsquo;s dissertation committee and noted how he effectively integrated his military and government experience with contemporary human capital development strategies and solutions.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Rick established a reputation as a student consistently prepared, a leader engaged with peers and professors, and a valued contributor to the HCD community of learning and practice, which I observed as his doctoral advisor.&nbsp;We wish both Dr. Walkers continued success in future endeavors,&rdquo; said Gaudet.&nbsp;</p>
<p>After 25 years in the Navy, Angie has submitted a request for retirement next year. Rick says the family hopes to relocate soon to the Gulf Coast area near family. And both plan to put their prestigious doctoral degrees to the best use possible.</p>
<p>&ldquo;After 35 years of drawing a Navy paycheck, I&rsquo;m ready for something new,&rdquo; said Rick. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m hoping to find a position on faculty somewhere teaching subjects like management and organizational leadership. My long-range goal is to simply make a difference with people.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Angie eagerly awaits the opportunity to start a new chapter in life.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m interested in working as a human capital executive, a strategic workforce manager, or a leader of diversity at a college or small-to-medium-size company/organization to help figure out how to lead and manage the current workforce and that of the future,&rdquo; she said.</p>
<p>Call them both Dr. Walker from now on. And be sure to call them &ldquo;impressive&rdquo; while you&rsquo;re at it.</p>
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AcademicsGraduate SchoolGulf CoastTue, 05 Dec 2017 16:32:51 +000016131 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Gulf Park Campus to Host MGCCC Transfer Visit Dayhttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-gulf-park-campus-host-mgccc-transfer-visit-day
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<a href="/author/jenny-tate">Jenny Tate</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Park campus will host a college visit day exclusively for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) students on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 3-6:30 p.m.</p>
<p>MGCCC Transfer Visit Day provides a unique opportunity for MGCCC students to tour the state&rsquo;s only beachfront campus, meet with admissions and financial aid representatives, visit with faculty and staff, and learn about degree programs and scholarship opportunities.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We look forward to welcoming MGCCC students to the Gulf Park campus for our upcoming Transfer Visit Day, and showcasing what all we have to offer at Southern Miss,&rdquo; said Dr. Rosaria Guastella, Associate Dean of Admissions. &ldquo;We hope that many of our local MGCCC students who started their college career in the blue at MGCCC, will stay in the gold and transfer to Southern Miss to complete their undergraduate degree.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Students will have the opportunity to apply for admission during the event. Admission application fees will also be waived for any current MGCCC students who apply for admission at the event.</p>
<p>Transfer Visit Day is an open house event. Participants may attend any portion of the event between the hours of 3 and 6:30 p.m. Current MGCCC students should RSVP online at usm.edu/MGCCCTransferDay.</p>
<p>For more information about MGCCC Transfer Day or other upcoming Admissions events, contact the Office of Admissions on the Gulf Park campus at 228.214.3444.</p>
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Gulf CoastTue, 14 Nov 2017 14:32:32 +000015961 at http://news.usm.eduSouthern Miss Faculty and Student Musicians to Present Mozart’s Gran Partita http://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-faculty-and-student-musicians-present-mozart-s-gran-partita
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<a href="/author/jenny-tate">Jenny Tate</a> </div>
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<p>Faculty and student musicians from The University of Southern Mississippi&rsquo;s School of Music will present Mozart&rsquo;s Gran Partita on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Fleming Education Center Auditorium on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.</p>
<p>The concert will feature an ensemble of 13 musicians performing Mozart&rsquo;s timeless classic. Also known as Serenade No. 10 in B-flat major, Mozart&rsquo;s Gran Partita was composed in 1781 and is the only piece written by Mozart which features this specific instrumentation.</p>
<p>University Bands director and concert organizer Dr. Colin McKenzie stated, &ldquo;We are excited to bring this beautiful piece to the University&rsquo;s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, and we hope that the University community and the public will come out and enjoy this musical performance.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The concert will also be presented on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Marsh Auditorium on USM&rsquo;s Hattiesburg campus.</p>
<p>Both programs are free and open to the public.</p>
<p>To learn more about the Southern Miss School of Music, visit usm.edu/music.</p>
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AcademicsArtsArts and LettersEventsGulf CoastWed, 08 Nov 2017 19:36:12 +000015916 at http://news.usm.eduUSM and Northshore Technical Community College Sign Applied Technology Pathway Agreementhttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-and-northshore-technical-community-college-sign-applied-technology-pathway-agreement
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<a href="/author/jenny-tate">Jenny Tate</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC) have entered into a Pathway to Applied Technology Bachelor of Science Agreement. This agreement establishes a transferable pathway for NTCC students to become eligible for direct admission into USM.</p>
<p>USM and NTCC officials took part in the signing ceremony on Oct. 24 at NTCC&rsquo;s Lacombe campus in Lacombe, La.</p>
<p>Through the pathway, students will be provided with a transparent outline for successfully completing an Applied Technology Bachelor of Science degree from USM and an associate degree and/or certificate of completion from NTCC. The institutions will partner to facilitate student access through a seamless blend of curricula.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This partnership demonstrates our responsiveness to the workforce needs of our local, state, and regional industry partners,&rdquo; said Dr. Cyndi Gaudet, Chair of the Department of Human Capital Development at USM. &ldquo;Our Applied Technology program prepares professionals with the technical leadership skills needed by organizations to compete in today&rsquo;s global economy.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Gaudet added, &ldquo;The B.S. in Applied Technology builds on the student&rsquo;s technology foundation from the community college to advance their careers by integrating the communication, collaboration, change leadership, supervisory and project management skills required for the high-growth, high-demand workforce. We look forward to a successful partnership with Northshore Technical Community College.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Applied Technology Pathway between USM and NTCC helps to ensure both institutions are proactive in addressing challenges in the economy and resulting changes in the higher education landscape.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Northshore Technical Community College values transfer partnerships with university partners. The uniqueness of the Applied Technology transfer pathway with The University of Southern Mississippi centers on flexible online opportunities in the fields of industrial technologies for Northshore graduates by providing future opportunities for advancement and promotion based on Bachelor&rsquo;s degree attainment,&rdquo; said NTCC Chancellor William S. Wainwright. &ldquo;This partnership is unparalleled in its strategy and aggressive approach to offering dynamic continued education access for our students therefore strengthening Louisiana&rsquo;s economy through investing in talent.&rdquo;</p>
<p>NTCC students who successfully transfer to USM will earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Technology from USM after successfully completing the additional required coursework at USM and meeting all USM Applied Technology degree requirements. Students can transfer up to 60 credit hours from NTCC to USM to be applied toward the 120 credit hours needed to complete a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in applied technology. In order to graduate from USM, students must achieve all graduation requirements outlined in the USM Undergraduate Bulletin in effect at the time they enter NTCC.</p>
<p>For more information about the Applied Technology Pathway at The University of Southern Mississippi, contact Diedra Minor, director and instructor of applied technology at <a href="mailto:deidra.minor@usm.edu">deidra.minor@usm.edu</a> or 601.266.5671.</p>
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AcademicsScience and TechnologyCommunityGulf CoastWed, 01 Nov 2017 13:47:17 +000015816 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Student Attains Success with Help from Career Serviceshttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-student-attains-success-help-career-services
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<a href="/author/arlicia-jordan">Arlicia Jordan</a> </div>
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<p>Job hunting has become easier and less stressful for students at The University of Southern Mississippi because of a new resource provided by Career Services.</p>
<p>Launched this summer, Handshake is an online recruitment tool for current students and alumni that helps connect qualified candidates with employers looking to fill open positions and internship opportunities. Through this new software system, employers can create accounts to post jobs for students to view.</p>
<p>Southern Miss Gulf Park student and senior accounting major David Jones of Biloxi discovered his current internship with Coast Electric Power Association by browsing the many opportunities found on Handshake, which included paid and unpaid internships, full- and part-time employment, and work-study and on-campus positions.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was very impressed by how fast I had created a profile and could search for positions. The site is truly easy to use and works flawlessly,&rdquo; said Jones. &ldquo;I could locate, apply and upload accompanying documentation to top-pick positions rather quickly. I particularly like the &lsquo;Favorite&rsquo; feature, which allows me to keep track of certain posts for later review or follow-up.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In addition to job search engines like Handshake, Career Services also offers a plethora of other resources such as career counseling, r&eacute;sum&eacute; building, cover letter writing and practice interviews.</p>
<p>Utilizing these bonus services, Jones reached out to Assistant Director of Career Services Jona Burton for a 30-minute prep session, which he said provided him with several key&nbsp;steps to make his interview a success. Because of his session with Burton, Jones said he had never been more prepared for a job interview.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Career Services seeks to connect students with resources and opportunities to support their success. However, we also provide opportunities for students to develop their sense of self and their confidence&mdash;ingredients we know employers specifically seek out in candidates,&rdquo; said Burton. &ldquo;We are excited to help students develop a strong sense of their strengths and what they bring to the table so that they can effectively communicate this to potential employers and position themselves as distinct, qualified and memorable candidates.&rdquo;</p>
<p>To learn more about resources provided by Career Services, visit <a href="http://www.usm.edu/career-services%20or%20call%20601.266.4153">www.usm.edu/career-services or call 601.266.4153</a> (Hattiesburg) or 228.214.3330&nbsp;(Gulf Park).</p>
Gulf CoastStudentsThu, 19 Oct 2017 20:13:02 +0000w30171715731 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Gulf Park to Host Hispanic Heritage Week Oct. 23-28http://news.usm.edu/article/usm-gulf-park-host-hispanic-heritage-week-oct-23-28
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<a href="/author/arlicia-jordan">Arlicia Jordan</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi will celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans during Hispanic Heritage Week, slated for Oct. 23 &ndash; 28 on the University&rsquo;s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.</p>
<p>A collaborative initiative between the Division of Student Affairs and the Spanish Society, Hispanic Heritage Week will give the campus community an inside look into another culture through a multitude of weeklong activities.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Hispanic Heritage Week will introduce and connect students to a unique culture that can help them communicate and accept others, in addition to understanding and promoting diversity,&rdquo; said Diversity and Multicultural Affairs graduate assistant Keionda Lewis. &ldquo;Attendees will have a rejuvenated perspective on what culture truly means on this campus, and will be encouraged to take their new perspectives and incorporate it into their daily lives.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In honor of the Mexican holiday, D&iacute;a de los Muertos, the Spanish Society will conduct a cemetery cleanup at the Mississippi City Cemetery in Gulfport on Saturday, Oct. 28. Interested individuals can choose a cleanup shift from either 9 &ndash; 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 &ndash; 3 p.m. Volunteers will assist with trash pickup, light lawn care and stone cleaning. This community service is open to the public.</p>
<p>The schedule of events for 2017 Hispanic Heritage Week is as follows:</p>
<p><u><strong>Monday, Oct. 23</strong></u><br />
Caf&eacute; y Churros<br />
8 &ndash; 10 a.m., Fleming Education Center Rotunda</p>
<p>Avenida de Las Artes<br />
9 a.m. &ndash; noon, Memorial Flag Pole<br />
Join the Spanish Society by making the sidewalks vibrant and colorful.</p>
<p>Paint the Little Rock<br />
11 a.m. &ndash; noon, Eagle Plaza</p>
<p><u><strong>Tuesday, Oct. 24</strong></u><br />
La Fiesta Social<br />
2:15 &ndash; 3 p.m., Academic Success Center, Gulf Coast Library<br />
Practice your Spanish with a game of charades.</p>
<p><u><strong>Wednesday, Oct. 25</strong></u><br />
U.S. Citizenship Game<br />
Noon &ndash; 2 p.m., The Chimney Pavilion<br />
Test your knowledge of the U.S. with El Pueblo.</p>
<p>The United States, Mexico and the Border Wall<br />
5 &ndash; 6:30 p.m., Fleming Education Center, Room 104<br />
Panelists will discuss the current state of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico and how it impacts the country.</p>
<p><u><strong>Thursday, Oct. 26</strong></u><br />
Roscas y Caf&eacute;<br />
9 &ndash; 11 a.m., Elizabeth Hall Lobby</p>
<p>Guitarist Nicholas Ciraldo in Concert<br />
12:15 &ndash; 1 p.m., Hardy Hall University Club<br />
Southern Miss music professor, Dr. Nicholas Ciraldo, will perform various works written for solo guitar from the 19th century to the present.</p>
<p>A Bailar!<br />
5:30 &ndash; 7 p.m., Hardy Hall Ballroom<br />
Move your body and have fun while learning to salsa.</p>
<p>For more information about Hispanic Heritage Week, contact the Division of Student Affairs at 228.214.3341. Hispanic Heritage Week is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost at Southern Miss Gulf Park, Bankhouse Coffee, Juan Tequilas and the Spanish Society.</p>
Gulf CoastWed, 18 Oct 2017 19:56:56 +0000w30171715711 at http://news.usm.eduUSM Gulf Park Honor Society Recognized Worldwide as Outstanding Chapterhttp://news.usm.edu/article/usm-gulf-park-honor-society-recognized-worldwide-outstanding-chapter
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<a href="/author/arlicia-jordan">Arlicia Jordan</a> </div>
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<p>The Alpha Pi Eta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus was recently recognized as an outstanding chapter among 880 chapters worldwide.</p>
<p>One of three chapters honored across the globe, the Alpha Pi Eta chapter on the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach was honored with the Outstanding Chapter Award for exemplifying the values of Sigma Tau Delta during the 2016-17 academic year. The chapter received $500 and a plaque, along with the potential to receive an additional $350 for travel assistance to the 2018 International Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.</p>
<p>&ldquo;As the sponsor of our USM Gulf Park chapter, I am very proud of our student members who have shown dedication, enthusiasm and brilliance in promoting the love of literature,&rdquo; said Dr. Damon Franke, associate professor of English and chapter advisor.&nbsp;&ldquo;This national recognition of their achievement not only registers their success in the recent academic year, but also speaks to the work and commitment of all of our chapter members since we were founded 10 years ago.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In addition to participating in University events, hosting literary readings, book sales, volunteer work and presenting their work at international conferences, the Gulf Park chapter also conducts special projects such as the Common Reader event.</p>
<p>Held in November 2016, the Common Reader event celebrated American author, Megan Mayhew Bergman, and the historical women found in her collection of historical fiction <em>Almost Famous Women</em> by displaying booth exhibits that foregrounded the background and unique accomplishments of the different women in the collection. For this project, the Gulf Park chapter received one of Sigma Tau Delta&rsquo;s Regents&rsquo; National Common Reader Awards and was commended by Sigma Tau Delta International President William C. Johnson for having &ldquo;one of the most impressive, well-conceived, well-executed Sigma Tau Delta chapter projects&rdquo; he has ever seen.</p>
<p>Sigma Tau Delta is an international collegiate English honor society founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University, whose mission is to promote literacy and the study of literature. Members consists of students of English at universities and colleges who are within the top 30 percent of their class. It presently has over 880 chapters in the United States and abroad and is the largest honors organization in its field.</p>
<p>For more information about the Alpha Pi Eta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta at Southern Miss Gulf Park, contact chapter advisor Dr. Damon Franke at <a href="mailto:Damon.Franke@usm.edu">Damon.Franke@usm.edu</a>.</p>
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Gulf CoastThu, 12 Oct 2017 15:13:54 +000015641 at http://news.usm.eduSouthern Miss Gulf Park to hold Golden Eagle Pumpkin Patchhttp://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-gulf-park-hold-golden-eagle-pumpkin-patch
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<a href="/author/arlicia-jordan">Arlicia Jordan</a> </div>
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<p>The University of Southern Mississippi will celebrate the fall season with a Golden Eagle Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 16 &ndash; 31, on the University&rsquo;s Gulf Park campus in Long Beach.</p>
<p>Held on the South Lawn of the Gulf Park campus, the Pumpkin Patch will open daily from 10 a.m. &ndash; 7 p.m., weather permitting, and will feature a free photo area and craft area.</p>
<p>Swan gourds, winged gourds and pumpkins of all sizes will be on sale from 50 cents to $50. All proceeds will benefit the University&rsquo;s Association of Office Professionals and the Comparative Cognition and Communication Lab.</p>
<p>The University will also hold a kid&rsquo;s costume contest Saturday, Oct. 21, at 11:30 a.m., and a professional photographer will be on site from 10 a.m. &ndash; noon.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For more information about the Golden Eagle Pumpkin Patch, contact Heather Miller, administrative specialist for the Office of the Vice Provost, at 228.214.3233 or email <a href="mailto:Heather.Miller@usm.edu">Heather.Miller@usm.edu</a>. Admission is free and open to the public. All school groups are welcome.</p>
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Gulf CoastWed, 11 Oct 2017 13:56:29 +000015621 at http://news.usm.eduUniversity Officials Issue All-Clear for Coastal Locationshttp://news.usm.edu/article/university-officials-issue-all-clear-coastal-locations
<p>University of Southern Mississippi officials have issued an all-clear for coastal operations at the Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs and Stennis Space Center in Hancock County following Hurricane Nate. Regularly scheduled classes and operations will resume at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10.</p>
<p>Students who may be unable to travel due to hurricane impacts should contact their professors regarding class attendance. Returning faculty and staff who identify any facility concerns that could be storm-related should contact appropriate Physical Plant personnel for their respective locations.</p>
<p>For more University updates related to Hurricane Nate, visit <a href="http://SouthernMiss.info">SouthernMiss.info</a>.</p>
<p>Should you have questions, contact University Police at 601.266.4986.</p>
Gulf CoastMon, 09 Oct 2017 20:10:13 +0000glocicero15596 at http://news.usm.eduSouthern Miss Staff Professionals Win “Judges Choice,” Three “Lantern” Awards at Regional Public Relations Competitionhttp://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-staff-professionals-win-judges-choice-three-lantern-awards-regional-public-rel
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<a href="/author/arlicia-jordan">Arlicia Jordan</a> </div>
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<p>For the second consecutive year, The University of Southern Mississippi has captured one of the top three awards at the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) Lantern Awards program.</p>
<p>The University&rsquo;s &ldquo;My Southern Miss Story&rdquo; campaign was selected for a &ldquo;Judges Choice&rdquo; award, one of eight overall awards collected by USM staff members from the Office of University Communications, the USM Foundation and the Department of Recreational Sports. The results included three Lantern Awards, representing the best work in each competition category. The &ldquo;My Southern Miss Story&rdquo; advertising campaign, which also won a Lantern Award in the &ldquo;campaigns&rdquo; category, helped raise brand awareness, support student recruitment and enhance the reputation of the University.</p>
<p>Judges reviewed hundreds of entries, honoring award recipients with either a Certificate of Merit, Award of Excellence or Lantern Award. The competition includes professional entries from universities, agencies, business and organizations across Alabama, the Florida panhandle, Louisiana and Mississippi. From Lantern Award winners, judges also selected a Best of Show Award and two Judges&#39; Choice Awards. Award winners were recognized during the 2017 SPRF regional conference held in Tupelo, Miss., in late September.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Last year, when our marketing communications team won &lsquo;Best of Show,&rsquo; our Assistant Director for Marketing Communications Brittney Westbrook said that it was once in a&nbsp;lifetime to finish in the top three in competition with the best agencies in Mobile, New Orleans, Birmingham, Pensacola and more,&rdquo; said Jim Coll, chief communication officer and director of the Office of University Communications. &ldquo;Then, under her leadership, we did it again in 2017. It truly is an amazing result.</p>
<p>&ldquo;These awards represent independent and professional validation of the quality of public relations work being done at USM&mdash;not only in the Office of University Communications, but the USM Foundation and Department of Recreational Sports as well.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The Southern Public Relations Federation is a network of public relations professionals from Alabama, North Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi who share a common interest in the public relations profession.</p>
<p>Additional USM SPRF Awards include:</p>
<p><strong>University Communications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Lantern Award for 2017 &ldquo;My Southern Miss Story&rdquo; video series</li>
<li>Award of Excellence for Bachelors of Science in ocean engineering and computer engineering campaign</li>
<li>Award of Excellence for 2017 &ldquo;My Southern Miss Story&rdquo; Instagram ads</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>USM Foundation </strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Lantern Award for &ldquo;Your Gifts in Action&rdquo; impact report</li>
<li>Award of Excellence for &ldquo;Attitude of Gratitude&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Rec Sports</strong></p>
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<li>Award of Excellence for House of Payne Haunted House</li>
</ul>
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AnnouncementsFaculty and StaffGulf CoastThu, 05 Oct 2017 15:04:13 +000015546 at http://news.usm.eduSouthern Miss Gulf Park to Host Campus Sustainability Month during Octoberhttp://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-gulf-park-host-campus-sustainability-month-during-october
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<a href="/author/arlicia-jordan">Arlicia Jordan</a> </div>
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<p>In observance of Sustainability Month in October, The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus will celebrate Campus Sustainability Month, beginning today, Oct. 2.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Throughout the month of October, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to participate in a series of programming and events designed to educate and inform participants about topics such as environmental issues, recycling and sustainable initiatives in effect on the Gulf Park campus.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Campus Sustainability Month is an international celebration of sustainability in higher education,&rdquo; said Allie Clemons, sustainability officer on the Gulf Park campus. &ldquo;Activities planned throughout the month have been developed to inspire students and faculty to live a more sustainable lifestyle, both on and off campus.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In addition to events and programming, an Academic Research Competition will be held Friday, Oct. 27, in which students and faculty members will present a research poster on either a sustainability or environmental issue of interest. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.</p>
<p>The schedule of events for Campus Sustainability Month is as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Monday, Oct. 2</strong></p>
<p>Sustainability Lunch and Learn, noon &ndash; 1 p.m., Fleming Education Center 104</p>
<p><strong>Thursday, Oct. 5, 12, 26</strong></p>
<p>Earth Out Hour, 10 &ndash; 11 a.m.; campus community encouraged to turn off all non-essential lights.</p>
<p><strong>Monday, Oct. 9 &ndash; Friday, Oct. 13</strong></p>
<p>Scavenger Hunt: Find various sustainability symbols hidden around campus for a chance to receive a prize and be entered into a drawing. All symbols must be turned in by Friday at 4 p.m.</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, Oct. 11</strong></p>
<p>Climate Change Panel, 6 &ndash; 8 p.m., Hardy Hall Ballroom</p>
<p><strong>Monday, Oct. 16</strong></p>
<p>Paint the Little Rock, 9 a.m., Eagle Plaza</p>
<p><strong>Wednesday, Oct. 18 </strong></p>
<p>Vegan Bake Sale, 11 am. &ndash; 3 p.m., Fleming Education Center Rotunda</p>
<p><strong>Monday, Oct. 23</strong></p>
<p>Halloween Swap Table, 11 a.m. &ndash; 3 p.m., Fleming Education Center Rotunda</p>
<p><strong>Tuesday, Oct. 24</strong></p>
<p>Halloween Swap Table, 11 a.m. &ndash; 3 p.m., Gulf Coast Library Plaza</p>
<p>For more information about Campus Sustainability Month on the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus, contact the Physical Plant at 228.214.3438. All events are sponsored by the Gulf Park Physical Plant.</p>
Gulf CoastMon, 02 Oct 2017 14:17:15 +000015496 at http://news.usm.eduSouthern Miss to Receive $1 million Toward Seaweed Researchhttp://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-receive-1-million-toward-seaweed-research
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<a href="/author/james-skrmetta">James Skrmetta</a> </div>
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<p>The Department of Energy (DOE) announced grants for The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) totaling $1 million toward researching the use of seaweed to produce energy.</p>
<p>DOE&rsquo;s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) approved $500,000 for research on an adjustable depth seaweed growth system called AdjustaDepth and an additional $500,000 to develop a seaweed ranching paddock.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are excited to be a part of this effort to develop novel energy solutions utilizing ocean-based technologies in the Gulf of Mexico,&rdquo; said Dr. Gordon Cannon, USM&rsquo;s Vice President for Research. &ldquo;The Project dovetails nicely with the inauguration of USM&rsquo;s Ocean Engineering degree program and the projects as a whole certainly fits well in the wheelhouse of our School of Ocean Science and Engineering.&rdquo;</p>
<p>ARPA-E awarded the grants through the Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (MARINER) program, which explores ways to harness marine biomass for fuel and other uses.&nbsp;ARPA-E awarded USM its grants for &ldquo;Design &amp; Experimental Deployment of Integrated Cultivation and Harvesting Systems.&rdquo;</p>
<p>USM&rsquo;s AdjustaDepth team will develop a novel and robust seaweed growth system capable of precise depth positioning for maximizing productivity and avoidance of surface hazards such as weather or marine traffic. The system is anticipated to be suitable for diverse &ldquo;attached-growth&rdquo; seaweeds and will be scalable across tropical and temperate climate regions.</p>
<p>&ldquo;From Alaska to the Gulf Coast, the United States has offshore resources capable of producing enough seaweed to handle as much as 10 percent of our demand for transportation fuel,&rdquo; said ARPA-E Acting Director Eric Rohlfing. &ldquo;By focusing on the technological challenges to growing and harvesting macroalgae efficiently and cost-effectively, MARINER project teams are building the tools we need to fully put this resource to work, contributing to our energy future.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The primary features of AdjustaDepth are that it works in any climate/location with native seaweed; maintains precise depth control between optimum growing depth and storm avoidance depth; utilizes underwater glider operation; and provides an easy transition from manual to fully automated operation and harvesting. The structure&rsquo;s minute-to-minute optimizing depth for maximum light intensity and minimum wave impact allows the entire system to be much less expensive than structures that remain on or near the surface during storms.</p>
<p>Dr. Reg Blaylock, assistant director for Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Research Center, is the principal investigator for SeaweedPaddock, a floating<em>, </em>semi-autonomous, renewably powered, moveable enclosure for ranching of seaweed. The team includes research scientists and engineers from Ocean Foresters; the University of New Hampshire; Liquid Robotics; Texas A&amp;M University and numerous other researchers and advisors.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The SeaweedPaddock will encircle an area of ocean containing free-floating <em>Sargassum</em> mats with a floating SeaFence and use remotely operated tugs called Wavegliders to manage the enclosure and move it to avoid ships and storms or find areas with high nutrient levels.&nbsp; The system is designed to operate over the course of a year without returning to shore and can potentially produce over a hundred thousand tons of seaweed.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This ARPA-E project offers a unique opportunity to work with a great team of research scientists and engineers to advance aquaculture, aid biofuel production, create consumable products and provide innovative systems designs,&rdquo; said Dr. Kelly Lucas, director of the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Research Center at USM. &ldquo;We are happy to be selected to continue developing the AdjustaDepth design and work with other selected teams to advance macroalgae production in the United States,&rdquo; Lucas said.</p>
AcademicsScience and TechnologyGulf CoastResearchFeaturedWed, 27 Sep 2017 16:05:59 +000015436 at http://news.usm.eduSouthern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale to present “An American Classic”http://news.usm.edu/article/southern-miss-gulf-coast-civic-chorale-present-american-classic
<p>The University of Southern Mississippi&rsquo;s Gulf Coast Civic Chorale returns this fall with another host of crowd-pleasing performances in its 23rd season, employing the theme &ldquo;An American Classic.&rdquo;</p>
<p>With a total of five concerts, Season 23: &ldquo;An American Classic&rdquo; will feature rousing favorites by popular Motown artists and arrangements by American composers like Richard Burchard. The Gulf Coast Civic Chorale will also be joined by special guests, including soloists and instrumentalist from the University&rsquo;s Hattiesburg campus, coastal high schools and community colleges.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Gulf Coast Civic Chorale will present their first concert of the season with an annual performance of &ldquo;Festival of Choirs&rdquo; on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Long Beach.</p>
<p>Artistic director for the chorale Dr. Jonathan Kilgore said &ldquo;Festival of Choirs&rdquo; is a must-see event that unites more than 350 singers who all share a common love for music. Kilgore said the concert will feature three mass choir pieces designed to display a rejoicing feel of hope.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Festival of Choirs is always one of my favorite events of the year. In a time where competition seems to be everywhere, this event brings together over 350 individuals from South Mississippi to work together and sing for each other,&rdquo; said Kilgore. &ldquo;No trophies, no competition and no division. Just music, the universal language.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The schedule of events for Season 23: &ldquo;An American Classic&rdquo; is as follows:</p>
<p>Holiday Concert<br />
&bull;&nbsp;Dec. 8, Southern Miss Gulf Park, FEC Auditorium, Long Beach, 7 p.m.<br />
&bull;&nbsp;Dec. 10, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Biloxi, 2 p.m.</p>
<p>American Classic Concert<br />
&bull;&nbsp;March 9, Southern Miss Gulf Park, FEC Auditorium, Long Beach, 7 p.m.<br />
&bull;&nbsp;March 11, St. Michael Catholic Church, Biloxi, 3 p.m.</p>
<p>The Seven Last Words of Christ<br />
&bull;&nbsp;March 27, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, Bay St. Louis, 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Music of Motown Concert<br />
&bull;&nbsp;May 4, Southern Miss Gulf Park, FEC Auditorium, Long Beach, 7 p.m.<br />
&bull;&nbsp;May 6, Southern Miss Gulf Park, FEC Auditorium, Long Beach, 3 p.m.</p>
<p>The Southern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale is a community choir organized and orchestrated through the Southern Miss School of Music. All events are free and open to the public.</p>
<p>To learn more about the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Civic Chorale, visit <a href="http://www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/gulf-coast-civic-chorale" title="www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/gulf-coast-civic-chorale">www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/gulf-coast-civic-chorale</a>.</p>
CommunityGulf CoastTue, 26 Sep 2017 16:57:47 +0000w30171715416 at http://news.usm.edu